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Financial Aid

External Private Scholarships

How Outside Scholarships Affect Your Financial Aid Package

Getting an outside, or private scholarship can reduce the amount of financial aid you need to receive from your college, but that does not mean that you will have to pay a bigger share of your college costs. It's actually a pretty cool exchange. Scholarship dollars replace financial-aid dollars!

What is an Outside Scholarship?

An outside scholarship is a scholarship awarded by an organization other than the government or your college.  These scholarships are usually sponsored by employers or community organizations, for example and should be reported to your college's financial aid office in order to prevent what is called an "overaward". If all the aid a student receives ends up being $300 or more above what is needed, the college must reduce the aid it offers. It is up to your college to decide what type of financial aid to reduce or cut if you receive an outside scholarship.

Trying to find scholarships?  Find information about other scholarships and/or scholarship searches that are available to you.  

Scholarship search engines have proven to be a very useful resource for helping students to locate scholarships.  Please note that most of the scholarship search websites require the applicant to complete a profile.  They then use the information provided to match the student with possible scholarship opportunities.  

Keep the following in mind as you begin your quest for gifts that don't need to be repaid:

1.  Be extremely cautious as you search for scholarships!

2.  Protect yourself from scholarship scams!

3.  Avoid websites or applications that require a fee!

Use these helpful links to connect you to what you're looking for!

Indiana Scholarship Foundations

Many community foundations offer scholarships for students from or living in their geographic focus. Listed below are all community foundations found in Indiana. If you are not a resident of Indiana, we highly suggest you contact your local community foundation and ask about potential scholarship opportunities.

Ohio Scholarship Foundations

Many community foundations offer scholarships for students from or living in their geographic focus. Listed below are some community foundations found in Ohio. If yours is not listed, we highly recommend you find and contact your community foundation about any scholarships they might offer.